Summary Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department kills five militants, including a key ISKP commander, during an operation near Shamsto Camp in Peshawar.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed five militants, including a key commander, during an operation near Shamsto Camp in Peshawar on Thursday.
The operation was conducted at a compound in the Armar area, where the militants were reported to be planning major terrorist attacks.
According to the CTD, the militants were affiliated with Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and were reportedly planning bomb attacks targeting sensitive institutions, imambargahs and churches, among other potential targets.
Among those killed was key commander Imran, alias Abdullah, along with Bilal, alias Abu Bakr. Another dead militant was identified as Shahidullah, son of Miraj, a resident of Upper Mohmand. The identification of the remaining two militants was still under way, according to officials.
The CTD said security personnel recovered a submachine gun, four pistols, two hand grenades, five magazines and an improvised explosive device from the militants.
Officials said Imran, alias Abu Bakr, was wanted in 20 terrorism cases involving bomb attacks, the targeted killing of police personnel and political figures in Islamabad and other districts. He was also wanted in connection with the killings of Maulana Khan Zeb and former senator Hidayatullah Khan, among others, according to the CTD.
The department said Imran was directly involved in the killing of Rehan Zeb. Investigators maintained that he had been present at the scene with other militants and had also opened fire during the attack.
The CTD further alleged that Imran was involved in the suicide bombing at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers’ convention in Bajaur in 2023.
He was also wanted in connection with the suicide attack on an imambargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, on 6 February 2026. According to the CTD, Imran arranged for the suicide jacket to be brought from Bajaur and transported the bomber from Nowshera to Tarlai in Islamabad.
Officials said Shahidullah, who was also killed in the operation, had conducted reconnaissance of the Tarlai imambargah and identified it as the target.
The CTD said a reward of Rs12 million had been announced for information leading to Imran, alias Abu Bakr’s, arrest or whereabouts.
Following the operation, a search and clearance operation was continuing in the area, officials said.
